PC users are running multiple, intense software applications simultaneously, increasing demand on hardware resources. In the office, PC usage has changed from data entry and word processing to e-Commerce, online collaboration and an ever-increasing need for continual security and virus protection. In the home, interests have shifted from low-bandwidth photos and Internet surfing to downloading and viewing high definition videos, as well as advanced photo and video editing. The Intel Core 2 Duo processor was developed to meet all these demands.

With the Intel Core 2 Duo desktop processor, you'll experience revolutionary performance, unbelievable system responsiveness, and energy-efficiency second to none. And, you won't have to slow down for virus scan, multiple computer intensive programs, or multimedia downloads - these desktop processors are up to 40 percent faster and over 40 percent more energy-efficient.

Built on the innovative Intel Core microarchitecture, the Intel Core 2 Duo desktop processor delivers revolutionary dual-core performance and breakthrough processor energy efficiency. With Intel Wide Dynamic Execution, Intel Smart Memory Access, Intel Advanced Smart Cache and Intel Digital Media Boost, this new processor is designed to do more in less time. Additional features to support enhanced security, virtualisation and 64-bit computing makes the Intel Core 2 Duo the most impressive new processor developed for an increasingly multimedia-centred, high-definition world.

Design changes in the Intel Core 2 Duo processors that improve performance also increase processor energy efficiency by operating at lower frequencies that require less power to run. A new feature, Intel Intelligent Power Capability, optimises energy usage of the processor cores by turning on computing functions only when needed. These more energy-efficient processors support smaller, more capable, and quieter desktop PCs to conserve critical power resources.

Intel Core 2 Duo processors are equipped with a new Digital Thermal Sensor (DTS) that enables efficient processor and platform thermal control. Thermal sensors located within the processor measure the maximum temperature on the die at any given time. Intel Quiet System Technology, included in the Intel 965 Express Chipset family, uses the DTS to regulate the system and processor fan speeds. The acoustic benefit of temperature monitoring is that system fans spin only as fast as needed to cool the system, and slower spinning fans generate less noise.

A platform based on the Intel 965 Express Chipset family with an optimised memory engine for improved system performance, is the ideal compliment for the Intel Core 2 Duo processor. New and enhanced technologies in the area of graphics, sound and manageability offer an array of capabilities. This combination of processor and chipset brings an unparallelled level of performance to the desktop.

Key Features

Dual-Core ProcessingTwo independent processor cores in one physical package run at the same frequency, and share up to 4 MB of L2 cache as well as up to a 1066 MHz Front Side Bus, for truly parallel computing.

Intel Wide Dynamic ExecutionImproves execution speed and efficiency, delivering more instructions per clock cycle. Each core can complete up to four full instructions simultaneously.

Intel Smart Memory Accessoptimises the use of the data bandwidth from the memory subsystem to accelerate out-of-order execution. A newly designed prediction mechanism reduces the time in-flight instructions have to wait for data. New pre-fetch algorithms move data from system memory into fast L2 cache in advance of execution. These functions keep the pipeline full, improving instruction throughput and performance.

Intel Advanced Smart CacheThe shared L2 cache is dynamically allocated to each processor core based on workload. This efficient, dual-core optimised implementation increases the probability that each core can access data from fast L2 cache, significantly reducing latency to frequently used data and improving performance.

Intel Advanced Digital Media BoostAccelerates the execution of Streaming SIMD Extension (SSE) instructions to significantly improve the performance on a broad range of applications, including video, audio, image and photo processing, multimedia, encryption, financial, engineering and scientific applications. The 128-bit SSE instructions are now issued at a throughput rate of one per clock cycle effectively doubling their speed of execution on a per clock basis over previous generation processors.

Intel Extended Memory 64 Technology (Intel EM64T)An enhancement to Intel's 32-bit architecture to enable the processor to access larger amounts of memory. With appropriate 64-bit supporting hardware and software, platforms based on an Intel processor supporting Intel EM64T can allow the use of extended virtual and physical memory.

Execute Disable BitProvides enhanced virus protection when deployed with a supported operating system. The Execute Disable Bit allows memory to be marked as executable or non-executable, allowing the processor to raise an error to the operating system if malicious code attempts to run in non-executable memory, thereby preventing the code from infecting the system.

Intel Designed Thermal Solution for Boxed ProcessorsIncludes a 4-pin connector for fan speed control to help minimise the acoustic noise levels generated from running the fan at higher speeds for thermal performance. Fan speed control technology is based on actual CPU temperature and power usage.